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Criterion
Paper illustration of Request for Comments (RFC) with its method-specific working model.
Architecture
Request for Comments
Paper illustration for Root Cause Tree Analysis
Operations
Root Cause Tree Analysis
A paper-based illustration representing arc42 with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
arc42
Paper illustration for Root Cause Analysis.
Operations
Root Cause Analysis
Purposedifferent
An RFC clarifies architecture context, options, and consequences. It structures technical context, alternatives, tradeoffs, open questions, and review feedback, and captures the result as an RFC document, reviewer comments, and a decision rationale.For a problem with several suspected causes, the method builds a causal structure instead of a mere list. It makes visible how causes connect and where the strongest points of leverage lie.arc42 structures architecture knowledge so teams can document system, decisions, and risks consistently. The template builds a living understanding of the architecture instead of scattered notes.When a problem keeps recurring and the cause stays unclear, the method exposes the underlying mechanism. It separates symptom, guess, and robust explanation from one another.
Complexitydifferent
MediumMediumLowMedium
Timedifferent
1-3 Wochen vom Draft bis zur Entscheidung1-3 h1-2 Tage1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
3-20 Reviewer2-81-43-8
Formatdifferent
AsyncWorkshopWorkshop + asyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
RFC document, Reviewer comments, Decision rationale, Follow-up ADR or ticketsCause Tree, Evidence Notes, CountermeasuresArchitecture Document, Context View, Runtime View, Deployment ViewProblem Statement, Cause Hypotheses, Confirmed Causes, Action Plan
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureDecisionAsyncGovernance
Root causeTreeIncidentQuality
ArchitectureDocumentationCommunication
Root causeProblem solvingQualityIncident
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